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We partner with forward-thinking schools looking to redefine how they cultivate relationships, connect with audiences, and tell their stories.
Competing for attention and trust today requires schools to articulate and express their story through high-value experiences and touchpoints – while thinking, communicating and activating like the most sophisticated brands on the planet – because that’s how your communities see you.
Meet The Team
Sarah
Winkler
Senior Vice President
Sarah Winkler
With over 25 years of experience in event strategy and program design, Sarah creates long-term strategies that move audiences to deeper engagement. In addition to serving clients in industries as varied as corporate, national defence, and the professional sports fan experience, she has developed a nationally renowned university practice. Sarah has helped both public and private institutions realize the full potential of such milestone events as campaign launches, regional tours, centennial and sesquicentennial celebrations, and campus visit experiences. Sarah co-founded Educe with JoAnn Peroutka in 2013 to focus on higher education. The firm was sold in 2020. She has been published in national and regional press, has been a frequent speaker at professional association conferences, and has been recognized for her work by both PRSA and CASE. She is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland and achieved the rank of Certified Special Events Professional. Sarah chaired the 2017 CASE National Conference on Special Events and served on the 2014 CASE Summit Advisory Team. She has recently completed her term on the CASE Industry Advisory Council and the board of Business Volunteers Maryland.
Josh
Johns
Vice President, Creative Strategy
Josh Johns
Josh uncovers creative insights, connects the dots across priorities and disciplines, and brings the big picture in sharp focus through compelling creative strategy. He translates goals and objectives into clear creative direction, leading to the targeted development of messaging and communications materials, interactive experiences, video, and live experiences that engage donors, alumni, and partners in an institution’s story. Josh has worked on shaping the stories behind some of the largest philanthropic campaigns in the country, such as Duke University, Harvard Business School, Yale University, New York University, and MIT. Earlier in his career, Josh launched tech start-ups and cereal brands, created national advertising campaigns for software and scholarships, and led the development of branded documentary films and websites. He has a B.A. in English from Penn State University and a M.A. in English from the University of Virginia.
Kristy
Cioffi
Associate Vice President, Executive Producer
Kristy Cioffi
Kristy is a nimble industry veteran with 20 years of experience in global event production, project management, and logistics. She skillfully manages cross-functional teams creating innovative experiences that engage attendees and build future partnerships with clients and industry experts. Throughout her career, she has worked with higher ed partners, nationally recognized brands, and industry leading event management organizations to develop bespoke in person and virtual experiences.Dana Riddlemoser
Account Director
Dana Riddlemoser
Dana brings over 15 years of creative and strategic multi-channel audience engagement experience. Prior to arriving at INVNT Higher Ed, Dana served as Senior Social and Digital Media Specialist at Social Driver where she crafted and implemented social media and messaging frameworks for organizations such as AARP, the Arthritis Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Dana has lead media relations for the US Equestrian Federation, helping increase horse sports' exposure across mainstream and social media, while assisting with athlete media development and positioning. Dana brings significant public relations agency experience as well, having worked on successful campaigns on behalf of Fortune 100 companies Boeing and Walmart, as well as a two-time Olympic gold medalist soccer player. Dana began her career serving presidential and senatorial campaigns.
Dan
Rigazzi
Creative Director
Dana Riddlemoser
Dan brings more than 25 years of experience in the performing arts to his work crafting storytelling events for some of the world’s top brands and universities. He has brought his live performance expertise to clients as diverse as Samsung, ESPN, Zillow, and TCU. As a stage director in opera, he spent 16 years on the Directing Staff at The Metropolitan Opera, where he oversaw revivals of repertoire productions and assisted some of the leading theatrical artists of our time, including 6 Tony Award Winners. He has worked extensively with students and young artists at Wolf Trap Opera, Carnegie Mellon University, and Bard College. Dan has a BA in English and Theater from The University of the South, and an MFA in Directing from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.
A True Creative Partner
INVNT Higher-Ed provides a consultative approach built on decades of experience in philanthropy and higher education. We combine our expertise with a global team of creative, technology, and production talent that design live storytelling experiences for some of the world’s largest brands.
As the go-to partner, we have proudly re-imagined events, experiences, and engagement for future-focused colleges and universities since 1995.
We translate, tailor, and scale what’s
working best in brand engagement to
inform customized approaches for the
world of higher education.
Explore Our Latest Work...
Vanderbilt University
Campaign Launch
Texas Christian University
150th Anniversary and Campaign Finale
150th Anniversary and Campaign Finale
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INVNT Higher Ed
101 Greenwich Street
26 Floor
New York, NY 10006
Inquiries
[email protected]
Inquiries
+1 212.334.3415
© INVNT Higher Ed 2024
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